Health and Wellness Newsletter

Community T-Break Challenge!

Have you or someone you know been thinking about taking a tolerance break (T-Break)? Even if you don't partake in cannabis, the useful information provided in the Community T-Break Challenge can help you better support your friends and peers.

The 21-day challenge begins April 21 and ends May 11.

Sign up for the T-Break Challenge to receive an email each day with encouragement, tips and reflective activities to help you stay on track.

The signup list will be kept private, and will only be used for the purpose of this challenge. You do not need to be a cannabis user to sign up. Three participants will be randomly selected to win a prize!

Sign up for the T-Break Challenge

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), an annual national campaign to spread education about and prevent sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. Every April the Prevention, Advocacy, & Resource Center (PARC) puts together a full month of programming to support and uplift all those impacted by sexual assault.

Upcoming events include:

• Trauma informed yoga (April 3 and 24)
• Take Back the Night poster making (April 18)
• Meditations with Zen Zone (April 20)
• Take Back the Night (April 20)
• Denim Day (April 26)

Visit PARC’s website for a full list of April programming and more information about how to get involved.  

Therapy dogs at the library

Visit with therapy dogs at the library!

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

12:00 - 1:30 PM

Library Tribute Area

Stay tuned for more therapy dog visits in May!

Art it Out at the BCC

Join the BCC's Hadassah Margolis, LICSW, for this low-key drop-in space to de-stress through painting.

Your finished pieces will be put up on the BCC walls for the community to enjoy.

No art skill or previous experience required.

Sign up to paint

Zen Zone

The Center for Spiritual Life invites you to Zen Zone, a chance to take a breath and destress from your busy life while practicing a variety of mindfulness exercises.

Open to all Brandeis community members. No meditation experience needed.

Mondays 12:30 p.m.

Thursdays 4:00 p.m.

Peace Room, Usdan

Ramadan Kareem! Tips for healthy fasting

1. Eat a large variety of foods to ensure you are eating a balanced diet with lots of nutrients.
2. Eat your meal slowly during Iftar. Your body can take up to 20 minutes to digest your food and signal to your brain that you're full, so it becomes easy to over-eat when eating quickly.
3. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
4. Speak with your doctor/religious leader about any health concerns or medications you take.
5. Take regular walks to keep your body moving when your energy levels are down.

Learn more

Springfest safety

Springfest is coming up on April 30! Here are some tips to help you have a safe and fun concert experience.



• Wear sunscreen: Remember to reapply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours to avoid sunburns and other harmful effects of UV rays. People of all skin tones benefit from wearing sunscreen.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and during the event, especially if you are consuming alcohol. If you’re feeling dizzy or lightheaded, BEMCo will be onsite to help.
• Pace yourself: If you choose to use alcohol or other drugs, do so in moderation. Overdo it and you may experience negative physical, emotional, and social consequences; you may even miss the concert altogether.
• Stick with your friends: Going with a group of friends can be a great way to look after one another and feel more comfortable in the crowd. Be sure to watch over each other's belongings, check-up on each other frequently, and make sure everyone gets home safely.
• Have fun: Social events are a great way to destress and take your mind off work. Seriously, it is OK to take a break. Relax and enjoy yourself!

“Socializing is a vital part of our lives — it helps us feel more connected and create community. When we’re apart, using social media makes it easier to stay in touch and maintain those connections. It has other benefits, too, such as allowing us to practice social skills in a low-stakes environment, find new friends through shared interests, and preserve memories. But we all know that social media isn’t without its downsides."

Read more from Headspace

The Headspace app is now free for Brandeis students! Sign up here.

Psychedelic safety strategies

Psychedelics are a kind of hallucinogen that affect mood, perception, and cognition by binding to the brain’s serotonin receptors.

As of the Fall 2022 National College Health Assessment, 97% of Brandeis students do not use hallucinogens, however these types of Schedule 1 drugs are on the upswing among young adults in the United States. If you choose to partake in psychedelic use, please visit our website for helpful information and some important safety tips.